Your Patients Are Struggling to Find Clonazepam — Here's How You Can Help

The phone calls are familiar by now: "My pharmacy said they're out of Clonazepam. Can you send my prescription somewhere else?" Since 2023, the Clonazepam shortage has created a recurring burden for both patients and prescribers — and it shows no signs of fully resolving in 2026.

As a provider, you're in a unique position to help. This guide offers practical, actionable steps you can take — and recommend to your team — to help patients maintain access to their Clonazepam prescriptions during this difficult period.

Current Availability Overview

Clonazepam is produced by several generic manufacturers, including Teva, Accord, Solco, and Sun Pharma. As of late 2025:

• Teva has reported 0.5 mg and 2 mg tablets on intermittent back order
• The 1 mg strength has been more consistently available across manufacturers
• Orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) may be available when standard tablets are not
• Availability varies significantly by region, pharmacy type, and wholesaler

The ASHP continues to list Clonazepam as an active shortage, and the situation remains fluid.

Why Patients Can't Find Clonazepam

Understanding the root causes helps you communicate effectively with patients and set realistic expectations:

• DEA manufacturing quotas cap production of Schedule IV substances regardless of clinical demand
• Generic manufacturer disruptions — when one or two major producers experience delays, supply tightens quickly
• Chain pharmacy inventory constraints — corporate ordering systems may limit how much of a controlled substance individual locations can stock
• Transfer restrictions — Schedule IV prescriptions often can't be simply transferred between pharmacies, requiring new prescriptions from your office
• Patient stigma — some patients report being treated with suspicion when calling multiple pharmacies looking for a controlled substance

What Providers Can Do: 5 Practical Steps

Step 1: Recommend Medfinder to Patients

Medfinder is a free tool that shows patients which pharmacies near them currently have a specific medication in stock. Instead of asking patients to call 10 pharmacies, you can direct them to medfinder.com to check availability in seconds.

Consider adding Medfinder to your after-visit summary or patient handouts for anyone prescribed a medication known to be in shortage.

Step 2: Prescribe Flexible Strengths When Possible

Since the 1 mg strength has been more consistently available, consider whether your patient's dose can be achieved with 1 mg tablets. For example:

• A patient taking 0.5 mg twice daily could take half of a scored 1 mg tablet twice daily
• A patient taking 2 mg daily could take two 1 mg tablets

When sending prescriptions electronically, you can also note "may substitute manufacturer" or "may dispense available strength" where regulations allow, giving the pharmacist more flexibility.

Step 3: Consider the ODT Formulation

Clonazepam orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) are available in 0.125 mg, 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg strengths. Because ODTs are stocked separately from standard tablets and may be supplied by different manufacturers, they can sometimes be found when regular tablets are not.

The ODT formulation is bioequivalent to standard tablets and may be especially useful for patients who have difficulty swallowing.

Step 4: Build Relationships with Local Pharmacies

Independent pharmacies are often better positioned to source controlled substances during shortages because they work with multiple wholesalers. Consider:

• Identifying 2–3 independent pharmacies in your area that reliably stock Clonazepam
• Establishing direct communication with their pharmacists
• Directing patients to these pharmacies when chain pharmacies can't fill

A quick call from your office to a pharmacy can also help — pharmacists may prioritize ordering a medication when they know a prescription is coming.

Step 5: Have an Alternative Plan Ready

For patients who experience repeated filling failures, having a documented backup plan in the chart saves time and reduces patient anxiety. Your alternative plan might include:

• First-line alternative: Equivalent benzodiazepine (e.g., Lorazepam or Diazepam) with documented cross-taper instructions
• Second-line alternative: Non-benzodiazepine option based on indication (e.g., SSRI for panic disorder, Levetiracetam for seizures)
• Bridge strategy: Short-term prescription for an alternative while continuing to search for Clonazepam

For detailed alternative options, see our article on alternatives to Clonazepam.

Alternative Medications by Indication

Panic Disorder

• Lorazepam (Ativan) — 0.5–1 mg equivalent to approximately 0.25–0.5 mg Clonazepam; intermediate-acting
• Alprazolam (Xanax) — 0.5 mg equivalent to approximately 0.5 mg Clonazepam; shorter-acting, higher rebound risk
• Sertraline (Zoloft) or Paroxetine (Paxil) — first-line non-benzodiazepine options; 2–4 week onset

Seizure Disorders

• Clobazam (Onfi) — benzodiazepine for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome; may be less sedating
• Diazepam (Valium) — long-acting; available in rectal and nasal spray formulations for acute seizures
• Levetiracetam (Keppra) — broad-spectrum anticonvulsant; not DEA-scheduled

Workflow Tips for Your Practice

To reduce the administrative burden of the shortage on your staff:

• Proactive refill management: Flag patients on Clonazepam in your EHR for early refill reminders (7 days before expected run-out)
• Template prescription notes: Create a template e-prescribing note that includes "may dispense available generic manufacturer" and contact info for 2–3 reliable pharmacies
• Patient handout: Create a one-page handout about the shortage that includes Medfinder (medfinder.com/providers), tips for finding stock, and instructions for contacting your office if they can't fill
• Staff protocol: Establish a protocol for when patients call about unfilled Clonazepam — who handles it, what steps to take, and when to escalate to the prescriber

Final Thoughts

The Clonazepam shortage is unlikely to resolve overnight, but providers who take proactive steps can significantly reduce the impact on their patients. By recommending tools like Medfinder, prescribing flexibly, building pharmacy relationships, and having documented alternative plans, you can help ensure continuity of care even when supply is unpredictable.

For the clinical details on the shortage itself, see our provider briefing on the Clonazepam shortage. For cost-saving strategies to share with patients, see our guide on helping patients save money on Clonazepam.